Backpack with display

ABSTRACT

An improved backpack assembly is provided. The backpack assembly includes a selectively accessible bag interior, and is defined by top, front, side, back and bottom panels, as is well known in the art. The backpack assembly also includes a pair of shoulder straps each having one end attached to the back panel of the bag at a location adjacent to the top panel, and a second end attached to the bag at a location adjacent to the bottom panel. The back panel of the bag includes a transparent plastic cover and inside wall for defining a pocket sized for receiving any of a plurality of distinct visual display inserts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention pertains to backpacks, and more particularly; to abackpack which can be personalized with some type of picture or otherimage.

[0002] Backpacks are becoming more and more popular and are used bystudents, people in the workplace, and by individuals in general forcarrying items in a convenient manner.

[0003] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a backpack whichcan be personalized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an improvedbackpack assembly is provided. The backpack assembly includes aselectively accessible bag interior, and is defined by top, front, side,back and bottom panels, as is well known in the art. The backpackassembly also includes a pair of shoulder straps each having one endattached to the back panel of the bag at a location adjacent to the toppanel, and a second end attached to the bag at a location adjacent tothe bottom panel.

[0005] Significantly, the rear panel is provided a see-through pocketfor selectively receiving a visual display insert. As a result, thebackpack assembly can have different visual displays which may bechanged as the user desires.

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide animproved backpack assembly.

[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedbackpack assembly having an interchangeable image selectively disposablealong the rear panel of the bag.

[0008] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in partbe obvious, and will in part be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made tothe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the backpack assembly of theinvention in which a garment is carried by the shoulder straps at alocation along the top panel of the bag;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the backpack assembly of theinvention, in which the shoulder straps are folded over and inwardly forstorage during carrying;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a modified version of ashoulder strap of the inventive backpack assembly;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view showing the modified shoulderstrap illustrated in FIG. 5 in a folded over condition;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a side view in cross section similar to FIG. 2 andillustrating a different form of the loop element;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG: 8;

[0019]FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the backpack assembly ofthe invention in which a garment is carried by the shoulder straps alongthe upper portion of the front panel;

[0020]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.10;

[0021]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.10;

[0022]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the inventive backpack assemblyhaving a replaceable rear panel insert; and

[0023]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG.13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, a backpack assembly made inaccordance with the invention and generally indicated at 11 isdescribed. Backpack assembly 11 comprises a bag generally indicated at13 and a pair of strap assemblies generally indicated at 15. Bag 13 isformed with a front panel 17, side panels 19, a rear panel 21, a bottompanel 23 and a top panel 25, which together define a bag interior.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, each strap assembly 15 of backpack assembly11 comprises an upper shoulder strap 27 and a lower shoulder strap 29 towhich the upper strap 27 is selectively coupled by means of a hookconnection 36. Each upper strap 27 includes a cushioned portion 31 madeof a padded fabric material and divided into integrated cushioned strapmembers 37. Each upper strap 27 is sewn at one end to the top edge of areinforcing horizontally extending fabric panel 33 located on frontpanel 17 along the top portion thereof. As is shown, the lower end ofeach upper strap 27 includes a buckle assembly 35 for selectivelyadjusting the length of strap 27 as is well known. Each lower shoulderstrap 29 has an end that is attached to the lower portion of front panel17.

[0026] Significantly, cushioned portion 31 of each upper shoulder strap27 has a loop element generally defined at 30 attached thereto at alocation adjacent to where strap 27 is sewn to fabric panel 33. Eachloop element 30 is defined by loop members 39 and 40, as bestillustrated in FIG. 3. The ends of loop members 39 and 40 are sewn tocorresponding integrated strap members 37 of cushioned portion 31 bymeans of stitching 41 (see FIG. 3). One surface of loop member 39 isformed with a plurality of hook elements while the corresponding surfaceof loop member 40 is formed with a series of loop elements for selectivemating engagement with the hook elements. Cushioned portion 31 of eachof straps 27 is capable of double backing or folding over on itself.Each of loop members 39 and 40 of each loop element 30 then selectivelyattaches to one another by means of the hook and loop fastening elementsin order to maintain this folded over condition of each cushionedportion 31.

[0027] As can be appreciated from viewing FIGS. 1-3, a garment 43 can becarried along top panel 25 of bag 13 of backpack assembly 11. Garment 43is disposed within folded over cushioned portions 31 of straps 27. Inparticular, garment 43 is placed against cushioned portion 31 of straps27 and then straps 27 are wrapped or tied about garment 43, as shown inFIG. 2. Then, loop members 39 and 40 of loop elements 31 are eithertightened or maintained loose. Loosely tying loop members 39 and 40 ofloop elements 30 causes straps 27 to tightly grip garment 43 once thebackpack assembly is mounted on the wearer. This maintains the securityof the garment, but nonetheless could wrinkle, crease or otherwisedamage the garment. Therefore, tying loop members 39 and 40 tightly maybe carried out instead, resulting in straps 27 staying fixed in positionrelative to loop elements 30 regardless of the tension exerted whenassembly 11 is worn.

[0028] In accordance with the invention, other objects may be carriedalong the outside of the inventive backpack assembly. Depending on theitems being carried, either an adjustable or fixed hold may be used,again depending on how tightly loop members 39 and 40 of each loopelement 30 are tightened around cushioned portions 31 of straps 27.

[0029] Turning now to FIGS. 4, backpack assembly 11 is shown in use whenhand carried, in order to prevent straps 27 from dangling therebeneath.In order to prevent this problem, which is not only unsightly, but canbe dangerous, lower shoulder straps 29 are secured by means of the loopelements 30. This is achieved by lifting straps 27 and 29, whenconnected, upwardly, and then placing the loop elements around the strap29 when disposed in a folded condition underneath cushioned portion 31of upper strap 27 (see FIG. 4).

[0030] Turning now to FIGS. 5-7, cushioned portion 31 of each upperstrap 27 is shown modified to include a series of indents 45 disposedalong corresponding locations of strap members 37. Indents 45 enableloop members 39 and 40 of loop element 30 to firmly engage cushionedportion 31 at selected desired locations therealong, thereby forming amore secure coupling.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, a slightly modified embodiment of theinventive assembly is illustrated. In this embodiment, bag 13 includesan upwardly extending handle 47 for carrying backpack assembly 11 byhand (also found in the embodiment of FIG. 4). Bag 13 also includes ahorizontally extending fabric panel 33′ having a lower edge from whichcushioned portion 31′ of upper shoulder strap depends. Moreover, a loopelement 30′ comprises a single continuous loop member 31′ stitched tocushioned portion 31′ by means of stitching 41′ (see FIG. 9). In thisembodiment, the user or wearer of the backpack assembly of the inventionis precluded from selecting the size of loop 30′. Instead, the inventivebackpack assembly is predesigned with a certain size loop 30′.

[0032] In FIGS. 10-13, backpack assembly 11, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3discussed hereinbefore, is shown in a slightly different fashion. Asshown, garment 43 is placed instead along the side of the upper portionof front panel 17 of bag 13 and cushioned portion 31 of each of straps27 is doubled back and wrapped about garment 43. Then, as before, loopmembers 39 and 40 of each loop element 30 are tied around cushionedportion 31—this tying may be done either loosely or tightly, dependingon whether it is desirable or not to have straps 27 tightened aboutgarment 43 when assembly 11 is carried or worn. Moreover, whether or nota garment is to be carried, straps 27 may be adjusted (shortened) inorder to selectively carry assembly 11 higher along the wearer's body.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternative version of theinventive backpack assembly is illustrated, this time generallyindicated at 104. Assembly 104 comprises a bag generally indicated at107 and a pair of strap assemblies 109. Bag 107 is formed with a frontpanel (not shown), side panels 111, top panel 113, bottom panel 115 andback panel 117, which together define a bag interior.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 14, back panel 117 is designed for receiving avisual display insert 119. Back panel or cover 117, made of a clearplastic material, and a flexible pocket panel member or wall 121, whichmay have an image imprinted thereon, together define a pocket forselectively receiving display insert 119 as desired. This enables thebackpack wearer the opportunity to express his or her individuality.Display insert 119 may include a visual scene, a personality, areproduction of a well known work of art, or some other visualpresentation that is desired. Multiple inserts 119 may be provided, eachhaving a different image. Any one insert may be selected or replacedwith another as desired. Alternatively, no insert may be used andtherefore the image printed on panel members 121 would be visible.Importantly, panel 117, which is made of a clear plastic, should includesome type of UV filtering properties in order to reduce the effect ofthe sun's rays.

[0035] Although the various embodiments are shown with respect to abackpack assembly, the inventive system is equally applicable to otherbags such as a handbag.

[0036] It will thus been seen that the objects set forth above, andthose made apparent from the preceding description, are efficientlyattained, and since certain changes may be made in the products setforth above without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

[0037] It is also to be understood that the following claims areintended to cover all of the generic and specific features of theinvention herein described, and all statements of the scope of theinvention which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

1. A backpack or other bag assembly comprising: a bag defining a baginterior and comprising a top, front, bottom and rear panels; at leastone strap having first and second ends attached to the bag; wherein saidrear panel is transparent and is formed with a pocket for selectivelyreceiving therewithin any of a plurality of specially sized visualdisplay inserts viewable through said back panel.
 2. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said pocket is defined by said back panel and a pocketpanel.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said pocket panel isselectively movable between a first position for enabling said visualdisplay insert to be received in said pocket and a second position forcapturing said display insert in said pocket and preventing removaltherefrom.
 4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said pocket panelincludes a distinct image visible when no display insert is received insaid pocket.
 5. A backpack system comprising: a backpack assemblyincluding a bag defining an interior and having front and rear panels, apair of straps attached to the bag, and a pocket defined by aid rearpanel and comprising a transparent cover and an inside wall; and aplurality of inserts each bearing a unique visual display and each sizedfor selective reception within said pocket and visible through saidtransparent cover.